Loose-leaf binder



Aug.5, 1947. R. M. RAYNoLDs LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Feb. 21, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIE l,

il' I lit FIJI-EME y ug. 5, 1947. R. M, RAYNOLDS 2,425,205

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Fivled Feb. 21, 194s sheets-smet :Lz-rangs 1; l l' um n 11W HIP '-J 5,1' z2 j Trogm Aug. 5, 1947. R. M. RAYNoLDs l LOOSE LEAF BINDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 21, 1946 LTIEIZ E:

Patented Aug. 5, 1947 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE LOSE-LEAF Reginald `1v1'. Raynlds, Summit, vN. J.l

Application February 21, 1946', Serial No. 649,140

This invention relates to loose leaf binders, and aims to provide certain new and useful improvements whereby the leaves when secured in the covers of the folder by means of the binder, are safe against inadvertent opening of the binder and are therefore unable to slip or fall out of the binder, and whereby the binder must be slid out of the covers before the leaves can be detached or before additional leaves can be inserted.

The above broad object as well as additional and more specific objects will become apparent in th'e following description, wherein characters of reference refer to like-numbered parts in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that the drawings are intended for the purpose of illustration only, and that it is neither desired nor intended to limit the scope of the invention necessarily to the specific details of construction shown excepting insofar as they may be deemed essential to the invention.

Referring briefly to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an open folder equipped with the binder of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom end view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the binder and the leaves bound therein removed.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the binder per se, partly in section.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to the lower portion of Fig. 1, but showing a releasable catch for locking the binder in the folder against sliding out.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to the lower portion of Fig. 5, showing the releasable catch above-mentioned.

Fig. 9 is a side view of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to the upper portion of Fig. l, showing the manner in which a key lock may be applied to the binder to lock the same and its leaves in the folder against unauthorized withdrawal of th'e leaves.

Fig. 1l is a side view of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the folder in closed condition.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional View taken on the line I 3-I3 of Fig. 6, showing the binder in opened condition.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral I0 indicates a loose leaf folder consisting of the two boards II and the back I2. A metal strip I3 is secured in spaced relationship to the haci; I 2

2 by means of spacedrivets I4 and spacers I5, the' longitudinal edges I6' of the stri-p being beve-led substantially as shown, on that side of the strip nearer the back I2.

The binder II per se is cr'nmposeu` of a pair of complementary mutual-ly hinged plates I8 and I 8st, the hinge Din thereof being shown at I9. their backs the plates |18 and f8a have' mutually convergent angular extensions" or wings 20. The outer edge of the plate I8 has a plurality of spaced open rings 2l anchored to, or formed integral, the said plate edge and extending in the direction of the plate I8a. These rings are adapted to enter and register in openings 22 of the leaves 23 which are to be loosely bound.

In order that the hinged plates I8 and I8a may be mounted within the covers II, the plates must first be arranged in a common plane, as shown in Fig. 3, whence the binder I'I may be slipped up the rigid strip I3, into the position shown in Fig. 1. In this position, it is to be noted, the strip I3 serves as a bar to any movement of the plates I8 and I8a about their hinge pin I 9, so th'at there is no possibility of disengaging the rings 2I from the leaves 23 while the binder I'I registers on the strip I3. When the binder I1 has been slid oi the strip I 3, the plates I8 and I 8a may be readily swung about the pin I9 into the position shown in Fig. 13, so that the leaves 23 may be removed at will.

In order to prevent inadvertent sliding of the binder I'I off the strip I3 and hence a possible separation of the leaves from the binder, a releasable locking means has been provided in the form of a resilient finger or spring 24 anchored at 25 to the back l2 and having a button 26 on its free, upwardly extending end. The button 26 normally lies in the path of the binder II, as shown in Figs. '7 and 9; depression of the button 25 clears this path' so that the binder I'I may be withdrawn when desired.

The device as described may be further provided with a key lock 2'I mounted on the strip I3 or the back I2, and the binder I'I may be provided with an extending tongue 28 having a slot 29 therethrough adapted to register in a complementary recess in the lock housing. The lock would of course be provided,in the usual manner, with a bolt, not shown, adapted to be engaged in the slot 29 upon turning of the key 30 in one direction and to be ywithdrawn upon turning the key in the reverse direction. In this manner the binder I'i, with the leaves bound therein, could be actually locked against unauthorized withdrawal of any of the leaves 23.

To facilitate insertion of the lower end of the strip I3 into the binder l1, the strip is tapered as shown at 3|.

It is apparent from the invention as above set forth that a loose leaf binder has been provided wherein the possibility of inadvertent Withdrawal of the leaves is eliminated.

Obviously, modications in form and structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an article of the class described comprising a folder including a pair of boards and a back joining the boards, a rigid strip mounted on said back in spaced relationship therewith, a binder comprising a pair of mutually hinged plates having their outer longitudinal edges bent back at an angle to form wings, one of said plates having open rings anchored at one end thereon and extending in the general direction of the other of said plates around the forward surfaces of said plates, said plates being adapted to be mutually pivoted into positions where said plates lie in a common plane and in the said positions being adapted to be slid over said strip with said Wings engaging the edges of said strip, the free ends of said rings in the last-named position of said binder terminating substantially at the outer longitudinal edge of the other of said rings.

2. 'I'he device set forth in claim 1, one end of said strip being tapered.

3. The device set forth in claim 1, having releasable means normally preventing said binder from sliding off said strip.

4. The device set forth in claim 1, having a resilient finger anchored at one end on said back and extending angularly upward therefrom into the path of said binder with respect to the sliding of said binder oil' said strip, said finger thereby normally preventing said binder from sliding off said strip.

5. The device set forth in claim 1, having a resilient finger anchored at one end on said back and extending angularly upward therefrom to a position substantially in the line of said binder with respect to sliding said binder off said strip, said finger having a button on the free end normally positioned at said line as an obstruction to the said sliding off of said binder.

REGINALD M. RAYNOLDS.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Mendenhall Jan. 8, 1907 Number 

